The Washington critic., 1887-02-21
WASHINGTON CRITIC
WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 9i, 1887.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

rooms of the House of Representatives
the other day, says the Chicago Nc,cs'
correspondent, l saw large nickel.
plated tank, such as Is used in restau.
rants TO make coffee in, and noticed
that there was an alcohol lamp under
meath and steam escaping from above.
/ asked the colored attendant what 1t
was for, and with q sententlous tone he
answered: "It's fer them as drinks
hot water, boss" THAT drink hot
water ?" answered. "Do they
drink II straight or is 1t to temper
their toddy with ?" "Thar's no liquor
byar," was the reply; "at least ways I've
not done got any an the Members don't
drink none while the ole mans hyar;
they does drink a powerful sight O. hot
water though, an keep me runnin'
with tn glasses sometimes, too"
And by inquiry l found out what the
old darky told me was true. Ever
since the commencement of the session
the coffee boiler has been In operation,
and hot water has been served as q
beverage to those who have taken
champagne or something with more
body to 1t the night before. One of
the Members told me that colleague,
whose habits are well known, but who
never drinks till after dark, generally
took about twice as much hot water In
the morning as he took of other bever.
ages ut night, and nearly all the Mem.
bers have gotten into the habit of
using 1t.
~.*
Mrs. Van Wyck, wife of the Ne.
braska Senator, writes Keim in the
Philadelphia Times, was Miss Kate
Broadhead of Milford, Pa, daughter of
Colonel John ii. Broadhead, farmer
and merchant of Pike County aud of
the Eastern branch of the colonial and
revolutionary family ofthat name in the
Keystone Commonwealth. During the
time that Mr. Van Aukcn represented
the Pike County (Pa) district In Con-
gress Mr.. Van Wyck represented the
Orange County IN. " district, which
stretched along the opposite shore of
the Delaware. During the gay season
at the Capital Mrs. Van Auken was in
the habit of having her sister, one of
the bellies of Northeastern Pennsyl-
vania, assist her in her social duties at
Washington, where Miss Kate became
great favorite. Upon one occasion
Mrs. Van Auken and her sister were
present at q great reception given by
Postmaster General Randall. The mem
Der from the New York district beyond
the waters of the Delaware was also
present, and during the evening had
tho honor of being introduced by
Mrs. Van Auken to her sister, Miss
Kate Broadhead Of Milford, Pa. The
fate Of the member from New York
was sealed Acquaintance rapidly
blossomed into love and love bloomed
into matrimony and Miss Kate Broad.
head Of Milford, Pa. became Mrs.
Charles II. Van Wyck of Middletown,
N. Y, and on March 4, 1881, went a
step higher in the social affairs of the
Nations capital as Mrs. Senator Van
Wyck. This charming daughter Of
Pennsylvania county Of Pike for six
years has been one of the ornaments of
the Senatorial social circle. The inter
ruption of the Senator's own success.
sion for another term will deprive
Washington society of one of its most
popular ladies.
~
Says the same correspondent The
ladies Of the family of Senator Warner
Miller are among the most beautiful
and accomplished in Washington social
life. Mrs. Miller was Caroline Church
Ill of Glovcrsville, the seat of import
ant glove industries. She has been as
sisted in her social duties this season
by her sister, Miss Cora Churchill, one
of the group of beautiful unmarried
ladies for whom Mrs. Cleveland has a
great fondncss. Mrs. Miller belongs
TO the celebrated family of Randolph
Churchill, England young and aggres.
sive statesman. The original stock
divided in this country, one branch
settling in Virginia and the other in
New England. She Is descended from
the latter branch. The Senator has a
very bright daughter at school and
three boys also receiving their education
During the season Mrs. Miller has sur
rounded herself with young ladies eel.
ebrated for their rare beauty and so.
cial accomplishments. The young Ia.
dies of the Churchill family were great
bellies of the Mohawk Valley, and the
types which Mrs. Miller and her sister
have had with them this season have
added to the fame of the women OF
that charming section of inland New
York.
~
Says Ben: Perley Poorc in Wash
ington letter to the Omaha Republican.
When the Senate first assembled here
at Washington, at the commencement
Of the present century, the Senators
used to wear dress suits and have
their hair powdered every morning a'
orc of the barber.shops on Capito
Hill. The favorite hair dresser was an
Irishman named Hickey, whose son
afterwards became clerk In the
Serate, and was gradually promoted
until he became the Secretary of thai
body. Rare gossipping places were
those barber shops, but majestic was
the appearance of the Senators when
they went from there to the Capitol
with their hair or their wigs so frizzled
and powdered as to make them re
senble peripatetlc caulillowers. Wher
Jefferson came here with his closely
cut red hair and French revolutionary
ideas the bair powder and knee
brecches began TO disappear, and car
only remember Senator Dixon OF Rhod,
Island and Bibb of Kentucky as ad
herents of that courtly style of dress
Many of the last generation of Senators
however, always came in what is now
known as evening dress to the Senate
and Mr.. Webster, whenever he in
tened to participate in debate, used t
appear in the old Wing uniform
blue coat with gilt buttons and buf
vest.